I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2019 : 31 - 40

It's been difficult to get these choices down to 100. I'm also not a believer in saying one album is better than another. Most of the time you are comparing Apples To Oranges. I'm not a List person, I just think what's the point.

However, for the last couple of years I have compiled Best Of 2019, normally I just said what my favourite album of the year is. I've done it again, because these posts seem so popular and the aim of this Blog is to get exposure (and Sales) for the artists.

There is no meaning or judgement on an album that is Number 1, Number 100 or not on the list. Anything that I review on here, mention on Social Media or play on the Radio Show is as highly recommended.

I would also add that the Top 100 includes albums available as Download Only. To suggest that they are anything less than equal to a Physical release is patently nonsense and omits many wonderful albums.

I will compile a Top 20 of Reissues and Compilations combined after all this is complete. For each album, I've posted a song from it and a link to the review, where you can find further details on how to listen or buy the album.



31 Remo Drive - Natural, Everyday Degradation      IDHAS Review







32 Pastis - Circles       IDHAS Review







33 John Howard - Cut The Wire       IDHAS Review

34 My Little Hum - Pioneer       IDHAS Review







35 Louise Connell - Squall Echo Rale     IDHAS Review  







36 The Vapour Trails - See You In The Next World    IDHAS Review   







37 David Brookings And The Average Lookings - Scorpio Monologue       IDHAS Review







38 The Late Great - Temporary Love Songs       IDHAS Review

39 The Magic E's - Dead Star       IDHAS Review







40 The Lunar Laugh - Goodnight Noises Everywhere       IDHAS Review








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Louise Connell - Squall Echo Rale

I'm more known for the promotion of chiming riffs and big choruses, so a few of you may be surprised that I'm raving so much about Airdrie's Louise Connell's new album. Well, there are times that you want to listen something that isn't as loud, particularly when it's this well done.

Her 2016 debut, Straw Woman, under the pseudonym Reverieme is great, but Album Number 2, takes things on a pace. There will be obvious comparisons, they come boringly naturally when you are Scottish, but that shouldn't detract from what is a fine album.






19 songs is a lot of music, but when the quality is there, who's counting? The album is essentially a combination of the three EPs that were on Pledge Music before it's demise and you wouldn't want to miss out would you if the set were cut down?

Connell has a wonderful set of pipes, the gentleness of that voice is her greatest strength, but when she lets loose, she can really let loose, Careful Unplanned, for instance has a wonderful hook. Where I'm From is a real favourite of mine, a sort of cross between Joni Mitchell and Suzanne Vega.






There are some wonderful arrangements here, particularly the string arrangements from Stuart MacLeod. I have no doubt that the opening two songs will get the most attention particularly the Psych Pop like Rope. Although both are exceptional, there is real depth to all that follows them.

Connell is a really talented songwriter, something that shouldn't get overlooked. There will be comparisons to KT Tunstall and Amy Macdonald, which should be taken as the compliments that they are. But this is essentially a Louise Connell album and this should be praised as that.






You can listen to and buy the album here. You should! Finally, if the artwork looks familiar, well it's by James Marsh of Talk Talk's Spirit Of Eden fame.


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